Ironman New Zealand planned for next week questionable with country’s current COVID situation

The Coronavirus pandemic has stopped yet another event in its tracks with recent news that Ironman New Zealand might be postponed as the entire country goes into some form of lockdown after a student in Auckland tested positive for the UK variant. While Ironman New Zealand takes place in Taupo, located south of the Auckland, the event’s host city has been forced into a Level 2 lockdown, which will be reviewed throughout the week. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern emphasized there was “‘no doubt” that a contributing factor to the lockdown was that rules were not being followed.”

New Zealand has been a global example of combating the Covid-19 pandemic with only 2,373 cases since the start of the pandemic. The rise of COVID variants show just how quickly countries are forced to change course amidst the pandemic. New Zealand was able to host a number events in 2021, including Challenge Wanaka which took place last week.